VENICE, Italy — LEGO models of Woody and Buzz Lightyear were unveiled by Disney Consumer Products as part of a dedicated Toy Story-themed family area at the 66th Venice Film Festival. Constructed from 13,600 LEGO bricks in 150 hours, this was the global unveiling of the Woody model which stands at over 6 1/2 feet tall. The Buzz Lightyear model, seen for the first time in Europe, was constructed from 40,000 LEGO bricks in 250 hours by 3 Master Builders and stands just over five feet tall.

The Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement of the 66th Venice International Film Festival (2nd-12th September 2009) was awarded to the American director and producer, John Lasseter – one of the protagonists of the innovation in contemporary animated cinema – and to the directors of Disney*Pixar. Exceptionally in the history of the Venice Film Festival, the award celebrates not only a single filmmaker, but also the contribution of all the directors of this visionary studio.

Laughing Place has noted that the program for Feld Entertainment’s newest Disney on Ice production, Celebrations!, has listed Bret Iwan as a voice talent and has also dedicated the show to the memory of former Mickey Mouse voicer and Disney Legend, Wayne Allwine.

Also linked to in the news item is a link to the studios where Iwan has recorded some material for Mickey.

So what does Bret do when he’s not providing the voice for the world’s most famous animated personality? Evidently he is/was also an illustrator for Hallmark and according to this irresistibly cute story from Hallmark about Bret visiting a school, he’s been a fan for years, drawing and voicing Mickey for the amused students.

- Of course the biggest news is that very shortly after we released a readable D23 Expo schedule, D23 released the full guide in PDF format that will be distributed at the Expo. If you haven’t already, you should get it now from the Expo schedule page. If for some reason it gets updated between now and Thursday, we will alert you as soon as possible via twitter and facebook.

– Panelists have been named for each of the films in the 50 and Fabulous film festival which is jam-packed with Disney Legends such as Dave Smith, Tommy Kirk and Mary Costa amongst others. More info on the film festival’s page here.

I’ve been holding on to this one for several days because while Typhoon Lagoon is scheduled to be closed in November, this is the only attraction for the park listed in December, so I’m just going to go with it until I learn otherwise.

With that in mind, Ketchakiddee Creek is scheduled to be closed all of December.

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You know him by sight if not by name, he is Luxo Jr., the official mascot of Pixar Animation Studios. The squisher of the I in Pixar before every film, he and the ‘Luxo Jr. Ball’ are the stars of Pixar’s first animated short over 20 years ago. He has become such an icon, that he is quite literally an icon, looming over Pixar Studios in Emeryville. He has also now become the latest entity on the line of Disney’s Living Character Initiative (LCI), appearing in full animatronic form at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. He’s also the prized collectible in a Pixar boxed Blu-ray set to be released just in time for the holiday season.

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – Marvel Entertainment Inc (MVL.N) would have to pay the Walt Disney Co (DIS.N) a termination fee of $140 million if it terminates a proposed merger with Disney, according to a securities filing on Friday.

The $4 billion merger agreement, announced on Monday, contains termination rights for Disney and Marvel, including Marvel’s right to stop the merger to pursue a “superior deal,” the Securities and Exchange Commission filing by Marvel said.

Marvel has agreed, however, not to solicit other merger offers, the filing said. It may be required to pay Disney a termination fee of $140 million under “specified circumstances,” the filing said.

Mainlanders take note: In anticipation of the new Tinker Bell movie, Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure, Pixie Hollow will soon see a new resident.

Walt Disney World is set to actively cast for Terence, a dust-keeper and the first male fairy in Pixie Hollow (joining Fawn, Rosetta, Silvermist and Tinker Bell). According to the parks, Terence is ‘a dust-keeper in the magical Pixie Dust Tree. Though he loves to have fun, he also is kind and thoughtful, and has great wisdom of the heart. Terence has a definite soft spot for Tinker Bell, and the two have become best friends.’

Other notable restaurants where you have worked: Before coming to Disney, I worked at the New York Hilton and the Roosevelt Hotel in New York City. In my 18 years at Walt Disney World Resort, I have worked everywhere in the theme parks from Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano and The Hollywood Brown Derby at Disney’s Hollywood Studios to Cinderella’s Royal Table, Tony’s Town Square and Crystal Palace in Magic Kingdom. In Disney resorts, I’ve worked at Disney’s Pop Century Resort, Shutters at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, and Chef Mickey’s and Contempo Cafe at Disney’s Contemporary Resort.

Hot new recording artists Honor Society, the first band signed to Jonas Brothers’ joint venture label with Disney’s Hollywood Records, will perform during the largest Disney fan gathering ever, D23 EXPO on SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 13 (2:00-4:00 p.m.) at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California. The band’s debut album, “Fashionably Late,” will release on September 15 and its first single, “Over You,” is now rolling out on radio stations nationwide.

Delivering an R&B/pop/rock sound, skilled musicianship, energetic live shows and a sense of style, Honor Society was named a breakout band to watch by Rolling Stone, identified as Buzzworthy Artists by MTV and opened for one of the most popular tour this year, Jonas Brother World Tour 2009 with Jordin Sparks.